Transcript: NewsCenter Podcast

May 14

Good day, and welcome to the Fairfax County NewsCenter podcast. Coming up, learn about new fees for land development services and zoning applications, autism, the Animal Shelter’s Pet Resource Center, the Weekender newsletter, and energy related awards. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.

 

Starting July 1, Fairfax County will implement the second phase of updated fee schedules for Land Development Services and zoning applications. The adjustments are intended to reflect the increase in costs related to inflation and personnel over recent years while ensuring the continuation of high-quality county services. The Board of Supervisors approved these fee adjustments on April 16, 2024, marking the first significant update since 2015 for LDS, and since 2011, for zoning applications. The new fees will better align with the current costs of providing these services, which have risen due to increased personnel costs and other inflation-related factors. NewsCenter has the details at fairfaxcounty.gov/news.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, one in 31 children have autism spectrum disorder. ASD can occur in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups and is more than three times more common among boys than girls. Research suggests that early intervention services can greatly improve a child’s development. Individuals with ASD may struggle with social communication and interaction, and restriction or repetitive behaviors or interests. They may have different ways of learning, interacting or paying attention, which can make life challenging. Families of children with ASD should contact the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB). The CSB is the "point of entry" to apply for services for residents of Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church who have developmental disabilities, including ASD.

To be eligible for services, individuals must meet certain diagnostic and functional criteria. To learn more about the application process and to schedule an appointment, call 703-324-4400 to contact an intake support coordinator. NewsCenter has more, including resources. Visit fairfaxcounty.gov/news for more.

 

Sometimes, people must make difficult decisions to surrender their pet to the animal shelter. There are many reasons why pets are surrendered, such as when a pet guardian can no longer care for their pet, or a family moves out of the country. In cases where a pet guardian is considering surrendering their pet due to financial hardship, there are services and resources available from the Fairfax County Animal Shelter to help pets remain with the people they love. The Fairfax County Animal Shelter’s Pet Resource Center was created with the goal of helping pet guardians keep their pets. Many of the services and resources they offer make caring for a pet more affordable. Their services include:

• Low-cost vaccine and microchip clinics.
• Pet pantry offers free pet supplies, such as pet food and cat litter.
• Low-cost spay and neuter voucher program.
• And the PetHaven Program, offering short-term temporary care for pets whose owners are leaving domestic violence situations.

Learn more about the shelter’s Pet Resource Center at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/petresources.

 

Be sure to subscribe to “Weekender,” the county’s weekend arts and entertainment e-newsletter. “Weekender” brings together offerings from around the county and delivers that info right to your inbox. Don’t miss out on fun happenings throughout the county. Subscribe to “Weekender” at fairfaxcounty.gov/news/weekender.

 

The U.S. Department of Energy has honored Fairfax County with a Better Project Award and a Better Practice Award, which recognizes partners for demonstrating innovative and industry-leading accomplishments in energy, water and waste reduction. Fairfax County received the awards for the successful completion of a comprehensive energy retrofit at the Spring Hill Recreation Center, a project led by the Fairfax County Park Authority in partnership with the Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination. Procured through an energy savings performance contract, the project combined advanced technologies and sustainable design to significantly reduce the facility’s environmental impact and operational costs. The retrofit is projected to reduce the center’s annual energy use by over 23% and carbon emissions by 36%, with a contractually guaranteed $65,000 annual reduction in utility and maintenance expenses. For more information, email parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

 

The number of people experiencing homelessness in Fairfax County increased by three percent (44 people) to 1,322 individuals in 2025. Last year, 1,278 individuals identified as experiencing homelessness. The annual count mirrors regional trends, racial disparities, chronic homelessness, and households fleeing domestic violence increase. The data is from the forthcoming 2025 Point-In-Time Count of individuals and families experiencing homelessness on Jan. 22, 2025. This annual effort provides critical data on the number of Fairfax County residents living in shelters, in time-limited transitional housing programs, and those unsheltered and living outdoors in the Fairfax-Falls Church Community. Learn more. Search “homelessness in Fairfax County” on fairfaxcounty.gov.

 

That’s all for this NewsCenter podcast. Thanks for listening. For more information about the topics in this podcast and for news updates, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/news. Follow the NewsCenter podcast on soundcloud.com/fairfaxcounty and our podcasts webpage, fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts. You can also listen 24/7 online to Fairfax County Government Radio at fairfaxcounty.gov/radio. If you have questions, call 703-FAIRFAX, that’s 703-324-7329, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or email publicaffairs@fairfaxcounty.gov. The NewsCenter podcast is produced by the Fairfax County, Va., Government.